Top 10 deep playmakers in EA FC 26

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The deep playmaker in EA FC 26 is crucial in formations that include a three-man midfield. Players in this role rarely leave their positions, but often set the tone of the match through their distribution of the ball, their composure and their defensive abilities, such as interceptions and tackles. These players also play a crucial role in disrupting opponent’s attacks.

In this article, we will discuss some of the best playmakers in EA FC 26. Players who are placed higher on the list despite having low overall ratings have ‘++’ Role Knowledge. Read on to learn more.


List of the best in-depth playmakers in EA FC 26

Check out our in-depth list of top playmakers in EA FC 26:

players Position(s) total Pass Dodge vision
Frenkie de Jong* cm/cdm 87 85 87 88
Alexis McAllister* cm/cdm 87 85 85 86
Hakan Calhanoglu* CDM/CM 86 87 82 89
Exequiel Palacios* cm/cdm 84 80 82 83
Federico Valverde cm/mrp/cdm 89 84 84 86
Vitinha cm/cdm/cam 89 86 90 90
Manuela Juliano cm/cdm/cam 85 84 86 86
Youri Tielemans cm/cdm/cam 85 85 80 87
Joao Neves cm/cdm 85 80 84 84
Fabian Ruiz cm/cdm 85 80 81 84

*Players with role knowledge “++”.

1) Frenkie de Jong

Frenkie de Jong is a versatile playmaker (Image via EA Sports)Frenkie de Jong is a versatile playmaker (Image via EA Sports)
Frenkie de Jong is a versatile playmaker (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 87

The Barcelona and Netherlands star was rated 85 for passing and 87 for dribbling. Frenkie comes with 88 Vision, 90 Short Passing and 90 Composure. The player has impressive long passing (87) and interception (82) skills, making him a strong choice for the holding midfielder position.

Read also: The best midfielders in EA FC 26


2) Alexis McAllister

Alexis McAllister was a revelation at the 2022 World Cup (Image via EA Sports)Alexis McAllister was a revelation at the 2022 World Cup (Image via EA Sports)
Alexis McAllister was a revelation at the 2022 World Cup (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 87

Argentine Alexis McAllister, Liverpool player, received a rating of 78 in defence, 76 in physical fitness, and 78 in defensive awareness. However, thanks to his interceptions (80), passing (85), dribbling (85), short passes (88) and vision ratings (86), McAllister was able to control the game from midfield for the Merseyside giants.

Read also: The best wide-ranging playmakers in EA FC 26


3) Hakan Calhanoglu

Hakan Calahanoglu is a great choice for a deep playmaker (Image via EA Sports)Hakan Calahanoglu is a great choice for a deep playmaker (Image via EA Sports)
Hakan Calahanoglu is a great choice for a deep playmaker (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 86

Turkish international Hakan Calhanoglu is one of the best footballers in FC 26, and unlike most traditional footballers, he has high ratings for Passing (87) and Dribbling (82). These stats, combined with his 89 Vision, Long Passing, and 90 Vision, make him the best midfielder in EA FC 26.

Read also: FC 26 best midfielders


4) Exequiel Palacios

Palacios is a promising deep-lying playmaker (Image via EA Sports)Palacios is a promising deep-lying playmaker (Image via EA Sports)
Palacios is a promising deep-lying playmaker (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 84

The Argentine player who plays for Bayer Leverkusen is another good choice, especially due to his knowledge of the role “++”. Palacios has an 80 passing rating, as well as an 82 dribbling rating. He also has an 81 Defending, 82 Interceptions, and a decent 80 Defensive Awareness.


5) Federico Valverde

Federico Valverde card at EA FC 26 (Image via EA Sports)Federico Valverde card at EA FC 26 (Image via EA Sports)
Federico Valverde card at EA FC 26 (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 89

Real Madrid star Federico Valverde was rated 84 in passing and dribbling, 83 in defense, and 85 in physical fitness. The Uruguayan’s versatility makes him a crucial player during build-ups as well as defensive transitions. He has a Vision rating of 86, along with 88 Short and Long Passes. He also has a great shooting ability from distance.


6) Vitinha

Vitinha was a key member of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League-winning side (Image via EA Sports)Vitinha was a key member of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League-winning side (Image via EA Sports)
Vitinha was a key member of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League-winning side (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 89

Since the 2024-25 season, Vitinha has become one of the best midfielders in the game. The 89-rated midfielder is rated 86 for Passing and 90 for Dribbling, Vision and Short Passing. These stats speak volumes about his ability to create chances. However, Vitinha also has a good rating of 75 in defending and 85 in interceptions, which helps him disrupt opposition attacks.


7) Manuela Giuliano

Manuela Giuliano is among the best midfielders in the game (Image via EA Sports)Manuela Giuliano is among the best midfielders in the game (Image via EA Sports)
Manuela Giuliano is among the best midfielders in the game (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 85

Manuela Giuliano is among the best midfielders in the game. I got a rating of 84 in passing and 86 in dribbling. The Italian also has great vision (86), short passes (87) and long passes (84), proving her quality as a midfield option. Furthermore, she received a rating of 77 in interceptions, along with a rating of 75 in defence.


8) Youri Tielemans

Youri Tielemans EA FC 26 card (Image via EA Sports)Youri Tielemans EA FC 26 card (Image via EA Sports)
Youri Tielemans EA FC 26 card (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 85

Youri Tielsmans has an 85 passing rating, as well as an 80 dribbling rating. The Belgian international, who plays for Aston Villa, was rated 86 in vision, 87 in short passes, and 84 in long passes. While his defending (75), interceptions (75) and defensive awareness (74) ratings are good at best, his ability to change or sustain the flow of a game makes him an incredible playmaker, giving a certain kind of freedom to other midfielders.


9) Joao Neves

Joao Neves is also a great deep playmaker (Image via EA Sports)Joao Neves is also a great deep playmaker (Image via EA Sports)
Joao Neves is also a great deep playmaker (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 85

Joao Neves is the second Portuguese player on the list. The 85-rated Paris Saint-Germain man has an 80 passing rating, an 84 vision rating and an 86 rating for both short and long passes. He’s also great defensively, thanks to his 82 Defending, 83 Physical Ability, 84 Interceptions, and 83 Defensive Awareness.


10) Fabian Ruiz

Fabian Ruiz is a key player for the Spanish national team (Image via EA Sports)Fabian Ruiz is a key player for the Spanish national team (Image via EA Sports)
Fabian Ruiz is a key player for the Spanish national team (Image via EA Sports)

Total: 85

Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz is another great choice when looking for the best playmakers deep in FC 26. Ruiz comes in with an 80 Passing rating and an 81 Dribbling rating. He has 84 Vision, 85 Short Passes and 83 Long Passes, making him a great distributor of the ball.


Players like Manuel Locatelli, Janina Minge, Leandro Parades, etc. are also worth mentioning on the topic of the best depth playmakers in EA FC 26.